Mission Statement

As part of the federal government’s National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Eye Institute’s mission is to “conduct and support research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs with respect to blinding eye diseases, visual disorders, mechanisms of visual function, preservation of sight, and the special health problems and requirements of the blind.”

NEHEP Programs

The National Eye Institute (NEI) established the National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP) to help health and community professionals increase awareness about eye health. NEHEP programs are designed to reach populations at higher risk for eye disease and vision loss and to promote the use of vision rehabilitation services.

Diabetic eye disease is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults, but it can be detected and treated early. Help people with diabetes learn what they can do to protect their vision.

Glaucoma often has no warning signs. Half of the people who have the disease don’t know they have it. Help promote early detection among people at higher risk and inform them how they can prevent vision loss from glaucoma.

People who have lost some vision can still make the most of their remaining sight. Help encourage people with vision loss to use vision rehabilitation services to maintain their independence and quality of life.

¡Ojo con su visión! (Watch out for your vision!) is a Hispanic/Latino education and outreach program that offers culturally appropriate resources and materials. Help increase awareness about eye health and the prevention of blindness among this population.

People often notice changes in their vision as they age, but vision loss should not be one of them. Help inform older adults about ways to protect their vision from age-related eye diseases and steps they can take to maintain healthy vision.

Write the Vision: Make Your Plan to Protect Your Sight, is a new eye health awareness program specifically for African Americans. This new initiative promotes the importance of early detection to prevent vision loss and blindness from eye disease.